Chapter 313

Ethan Sullivan's smile deepened as Evelyn Laurent turned to look at him. He gave her a slight nod.

Her heart softened.

She saw unmistakable tenderness in his eyes.

He understood her concern.

She worried Julian Langley might walk too fast for him to keep up.

Only then did Evelyn turn away with relief.

Before long, hurried footsteps echoed ahead.

Timothy Gold and Eugene York rushed over with the production crew, their faces tense with worry.

"Julian!" Timothy dashed forward, gripping the Oscar-winning actor's arms to inspect him. "You scared us half to death—"

His voice trembled.

No one expected to hear a scream from the acclaimed actor in the dead of night.

Beatrice Quincy pushed through the crowd, panting. "Are you hurt?"

She reached for Julian's arm.

The concerned stares made his ears burn.

"Just...startled." He awkwardly rubbed his nose.

That snake had nearly brushed against his face.

Never in his life had he felt so humiliated.

Julian shot Ethan a warning glare.

A single word about this would mean death.

Ethan arched a brow, amusement flickering in his gaze.

The commotion soon settled.

Evelyn explained the snake was nonvenomous and harmless unless provoked.

But the seed of fear had been planted.

Beatrice tossed and turned all night.

Every time she closed her eyes, phantom snakes slithered by her bedside.

At dawn's first light, she gave up on sleep.

She turned to see Bianca Fairchild sleeping soundly beside her.

Her eyes turned icy.

She dug her nails into the tender flesh of Bianca's inner arm.